How to Start an LLC in Colorado

LLC in CO: If you want to start a Colorado LLC online yourself, you need to submit the Articles of Organization with the Colorado Secretary of State for $50.

You can follow the 7 steps given here.

  • Pick a Name for Your Colorado LLC
  • Find a Registered Agent
  • Submit the Articles of Organization
  • Establish an LLC Operating Agreement
  • Follow the Tax and Other Administrative Requirements like EIN
  • Fulfill Your State Tax Commitments
  • Submit Annual Reports

An LLC in Colorado basically links an organization’s limited liability with the pliability and shortage of formalities. All these are offered by any sole proprietorship or an association.

We would recommend setting up an LLC in CO for any entrepreneur whose objective is to restrict liability for professional lawsuits and debts. You can form an LLC by yourself or by hiring best Colorado LLC formation services.

Tip of the Day: Colorado LLC formation & filing by yourself is mostly hectic and time taking. Hiring a reliable LLC service is not only a good choice, but saves you from overspending. Therefore we recommend you to:

Introduction:

Now, what is an LLC? A Limited Liability Company (LLC) unites the best of partnerships, sole ownerships, and corporations into one organizational entity providing full protection to liabilities, tax incentives or flexible business structures, etc.

It only costs almost 50 USD to initiate an LLC in Colorado.

All you’ve to do is to submit a certificate of your new business with the State Minister.An entrepreneur can either apply online, drop a mail, or visit the office in person to build a new LLC.

In this article, we will explain the LLC formation method in Colorado. So let’s get started!

Outlining the LLC Formation Process
(7 Steps)

  1. Pick a Name for Your Colorado LLC
  2. Find a Registered Agent for Your LLC
  3. Submit the Articles of Organization
  4. Establish an LLC Operating Agreement
  5. Follow the Tax and Other Administrative Requirements
  6. Fulfill Your State Tax Commitments
  7. Submit Annual Reports

Next, we are going to discuss the steps one by one to make to clear for all of the viewers and new entrepreneurs.

Step One

#1: Pick an LLC Name

The first and foremost part of building an LLC in CO is to pick up the right company name. Try to select a name that corresponds to Colorado standards and is conveniently accessed by prospective customers.

What Instructions Should Be Followed While Naming an LLC?

  • Every business owner should include “Limited Liability Company” to his new company or the abbreviation of it, LLC.
  • Avoid using the words that can mystify your LLC name with the government agencies, such as State Organizations, Treasury, FBI, etc.
  • Make sure to choose a unique name from other corporations, Colorado LLCs, or limited liability parties.
  • If you want to fit in a few confined words like an attorney, bank, university, etc., it might demand hiring a licensed lawyer or doctor for additional documentation.

The next step is to verify access to your chosen name in Colorado. Make sure if the name is still available or utilized by another entity.

You can visit Colorado official state website to check on Business Registry Search. Furthermore, one can also generate a name through an LLC Name Generator online.

Step Two

#2: Find a Registered Agent

Another vital step is to find a reliable Registered Agent to form an LLC in CO.

How do you define a registered agent? He is an official entity or an agent hired for attending your organization’s tax data, lawsuit notices, legitimate paperwork, and government issues with your company, etc.

There are some limitations when choosing a registered agent in Colorado. The person should be a Colorado inhabitant who would be able to perform your business tasks from within the state.

You may also nominate yourself for the official documentation, but we personally recommend to go for ZenBusiness. Besides offering a free first year of their registered agent services, the company will form your Colorado LLC only for $49 plus the state filing fee.

Step Three

#3 File an Articles of Organization

You can file your article of organization online by completing the online application at the secretary of the state’s website. Generally, article of organization should cover up the following:

  1. Name and web address of your LLC’s planner
  2. The official name and address of Colorado LLC
  3. Details of your LLCs registered entity
  4. Details of your company members
  5. The official LLCs emails
  6. Entrepreneur’s signature

DIY Cost of Forming an LLC in Colorado ($50)

The main LLC formation cost through the DIY route is the state filing fee of your Article of Organization. Currently, the state of Colorado charges you $50 for filing your LLC and it may be subjected to revision by the state. The filing fee of articles of organization is the same, regardless you submit online or through the mail.

Step Four

#4: Establish an LLC Operating Agreement

An LLC operating agreement is constitutional paperwork that sketches the rules and regulations for a new company and also outlines the entrepreneur’s operating procedures to form a new LLC in CO.

Although not necessary, creating an operating agreement will benefit a company for sure.

This legal agreement guarantees all entrepreneurs to remain on the same boat, which ultimately lessens further business clashes.

Step Five

#5: Follow the Similar Tax and Other Administrative Requirements

A few extra taxes and other administrative requirements might implement to your new LLC that includes:

Employer Identification Number – It is just like a Social Security Number, so if your company has more than one employee, you can get this EIN by paying extra. This nine-digit code will check into your tax issues and assist you in creating a new bank account, hiring new staff, etc. One can submit an online form at the IRS website to get an EIN for his company.

Official Licenses – Sometimes, your new LLC in Colorado might demand the official state licenses or other approvals, depending on the business type and its location. So, there are Economic Resource Units in Colorado leading you to authorities to guarantee proper licensing, registration, or permissions within the state.

Step Six

#6: Fulfill Your State Tax Commitments

After getting a Colorado LLC, there are several responsibilities on a business entity that should be fulfilled. For instance, in a few cases, one has to check with the Colorado Department of Revenue (CODOR) for selling products or assembling sales tax, etc.

For your convenience, IDOR has an online platform, so you can register yourself from there through Business Taxes Registration Application. For more information, you can review detailed LLC articles on our website.

Step Seven

#7: Responsibly Submit Annual Reports

All limited liability companies in Colorado, after their creation, are obliged to submit their annual (or biennial) reports. For more details on how to file an annual report, read our article on LLC annual (or biennial) report or state-specific fee.

Due Date: In Colorado, you need to submit an LLC biennial report (periodic report) two months before or after the listed month with $10 as a processing fee.

Late Filings: In case you submit your biennial report after due date, you have to pay a $50 late fee. Failure to file a biennial report may result in the dissolution of your LLC in Colorado.

Cities Where You Can Form an LLC in Colorado

Denver LLCColorado Springs LLCAurora LLCFort Collins LLC
Lakewood LLCThornton LLCArvada LLCWestminster LLC
Pueblo LLCCentennial LLCBoulder LLCHighlands Ranch LLC
Greeley LLCLongmont LLCLoveland LLCBroomfield LLC

Additional Information on Forming an LLC in Colorado

Register a Foreign LLC in Colorado

Entrepreneurs often form an LLC in a state other than the state of their residence to have some tax benefits and reduce LLC formation cost. Moreover, some business owners have their LLC franchises in multiple states. In such cases, they register their LLCs or franchises as foreign LLC in all states where they operate their business.

If you have an LLC in any other state and wish to open a franchise in Colorado or want to form an LLC in Colorado while you are a non-Colorado resident, you can register your business as a foreign LLC online at the Colorado Secretary of State’s website.

Colorado Foreign LLC Filing Fee: ($100 – nonrefundable)

Hiring Employees in Colorado

To run your business in a compliant manner, you have to follow the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment website’s guidelines while hiring employees for your existing business or new LLC. Some of the major points are stated below;

  • Verify the employment status of individuals, such as whether the potential employee is a US resident; if not then are they permitted to work in the US, are they of a certain age to work for that particular job, etc
  • Report new hiring to the state
  • File quarterly reports on wages and taxes
  • Report job refusal 

Acquire Relevant Business Licenses and Permits to Operate in Colorado

To successfully operate your LLC in Colorado, you must acquire permits and license to comply with federal, state, and local government regulations. For instance, to operate a pest control business, you need to acquire a license from the department of agriculture and fulfill the state’s certification requirement, etc.

The requirements and fees for business licenses and permits vary from state to state. Work thoroughly on prerequisites and compliance-related information for your business before officially filing your LLC with the state. However, the following resources may help;  

Obtaining a Certificate of Good Standing in Colorado

A Certificate of Good Standing, aka Certificate of Compliance in Colorado, verifies that your LLC has been legally formed and is being operated and maintained in a compliant fashion. This document is needed for;

  • Filing your business as a foreign LLC 
  • Seeking fundings and investments from banks or other people
  • Acquiring or renewing relevant business licenses or permits

You can file for the certificate of compliance online on the Colorado Secretary of State website.

Dissolving Your LLC in Colorado

In case you no longer wish to continue your LLC in Colorado at any point in the future, you must officially dissolve it; otherwise, you may face tax liabilities, penalties, and legal troubles. In Colorado, you can dissolve your LLC by following 3 basic steps:

  • Comply with your LLC operating agreement
  • Close all business tax accounts
  • Form the Colorado LLC Dissolution guide. You may asko seek help from LLC creation services in the termination of formal businesses such as LLCs and corporations. Consider getting their expert service to make this process seamless and easy for you.

Final Verdict

We hope this article has helped you in every aspect of forming an LLC in Colorado. If you still have any questions or confusion, please ask in the comment section.

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